“Apple Cider Slammer”
Apple cider vinegar is just that, a type of vinegar made from apple cider. This ‘Slammer’ contains beta-carotene, which according to the Mayo Clinic possesses antioxidant properties that counteract the damage done by free radicals and in return helps boost your immune system [source][/source]. Find organic, raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar for maximum health benefits.

Shot Recipe: Shoot back a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with a two tablespoons of filtered water. Can’t stomach it? I personally suggest mixing a tablespoon with a tall 8oz glass of cold water to dilute it. I also add a touch of raw honey to sweeten it. This source suggests drinking this apple cider daily

“Blueberry Blast”
Blueberries are very high in antioxidants compared to other fruits and vegetables and contain powerful phytochemicals which give the fruit their deep blue color. A recent study done by the University of Oregon shared that the pterostilbene found in blueberries, when combined with vitamin D, could boost the body’s ability to fend off illness.

Shot Recipe: Juice a handful of blueberries and enjoy this sweet and sour drink. You can also simply increase your intake of blueberries if you do not own a juicer or wish to juice them.

“Lemon & Ginger Drop”
Lemon and Ginger are a powerhouse duo. This couple not only supports a strong immune system by the lemon’s Vitamin C content, but together they help fight off an oncoming illness. Lemon juice’s anti-inflammatory qualities soothe sore throats and irritated membranes while the ginger helps cleanse your system.

Shot Recipe: Add a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to 3 tablespoons of water. Grate or juice a pinch of ginger and…

]]>Natural Flu "Shots" For Sinus ProblemsIs It A Sinus Infection Or Cold?https://blackdoctor.org/460032/sinus-infection-vs-cold/
Sun, 05 Jun 2016 14:51:13 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=460032Many cold and sinus infection symptoms often overlap with each other, making it difficult to determine if you’re suffering from a common cold or a sinus infection. Take the following symptoms for example:

Cold Symptoms:

Usually lasts 5 days or less

Sore throat

Coughing

Stuffy nose

Sneezing

Fatigue

Headache

Sinus Infection Symptoms:

Usually lasts 5 days or more

Thick yellow or green mucus

Dizziness

Excessive coughing

Fatigue

Runny, stuffy nose

Headache

Fever

Facial pain – behind your eyes, forehead, teeth or cheekbones

So, how can you tell if you have a cold or a sinus infection? “The common cold is a viral infection while most sinusitis is a bacterial infection,” explains Dr. Bola Oyeyipo, a family physician in San Antonio, Texas and co-founder of Healthgist.com. “The main difference between the two is the duration of symptoms and the intensity of those symptoms.”

A fever may also signal a bacterial infection. Sinus infections are sometimes accompanied by a low-grade fever, while colds typically are not. Other viruses (such as the flu) do cause fevers, however.

Another potentially helpful sign is the color of your nasal discharge. Unlike colds, which generally produce clear mucus, bacterial infections can produce greenish or yellow mucus. However, viruses sometimes produce colorful discharge as well, so this isn’t considered a fail-safe test.

As mentioned earlier, a cold will usually go away within five days or less with the help of over-the-counter medications, plenty of rest and don’t underestimate the power of good ole chicken noodle soup. A sinus infection, on the other hand, will last longer than five days and may require you to see a doctor. Most of the time, antibiotics will do the job, but sinus irrigation and over-the-counter decongestants can also help ease your symptoms.

So, when is it time to see a doctor? “Thick nasal discharge, fevers, headaches, and facial pain of more than five days should prompt a doctor’s assessment,” Dr. Oyeyipo says. “These would likely require antibiotics to clear the infection.”

If sinusitis seems to be a reoccurring problem for you, then it may be time to schedule an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist right away.

]]>Is It A Sinus Infection Or Cold?Why You Need To Drink More Than ‘Enough’ Waterhttps://blackdoctor.org/481194/why-you-need-to-drink-more-than-enough-water/
Wed, 10 Feb 2016 00:43:30 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=481194

Most of us are walking around chronically dehydrated. Literally like empty water wells in the middle of the Sahara Desert. Empty, dry and desolate. The only problem with it is that we are fluid beings meant to be alive, flexible and vibrant just like the ocean. In fact, our bodies are roughly 60-75% water! Think about that for a moment.

The majority of your body is water. Friends, that is a scientific fact. If you’d like to explore the research there’s plenty available.

The point is that water is arguably the single most important element in the human diet that cannot be replaced by any other source. It’s so vital that we cannot go more than three or four days without it or we’d die. So then why do most of us only drink enough to survive?

Whenever we choose to do something enough just to get by we always get the short of the stick. The same is true with our water intake. For those of us who are chronically dehydrated we tend to “exist” compared to our potential of “thriving.” If we’re only putting enough water in our body to accomplish the “minimum” then we’re suffering.

Are you dehydrated?

Here are some indicators that you are dehydrated and your body is dying of thirst:

You regularly have some form of mucus. Most commonly it’s nasal related, but excessive ear wax, dandruff, dry coughs and acne are all indicators that your body is not getting enough water.

According to the Mayo Clinic, headaches and constipation are also very common symptoms. Just think for a moment. How many of those things are you plagued by on a daily basis? If you are, then you’re certainly not living, you’re existing. Of course, there are many other symptoms, but alleviating those symptoms alone could improve your quality of life.

When I say quality of life, I’m not only referring to alleviation of the symptoms, which result in less tissue paper use or less bloating, but the side affects of those symptoms. When you have a headache, generally you’re irritable. When you’re irritable your patience levels are lower. Your friends and family don’t want to be around you. Your work performance might suffer and the list goes on about how your hormones are impacted by dehydration and the way you show up in life. Amazing isn’t it?!

]]>Why You Need To Drink More Than ‘Enough’ Water5 Ways To Kill What’s Living On Your Pillowhttps://blackdoctor.org/409894/pillow-health-risks/
Wed, 03 Feb 2016 15:38:04 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=409894

When you fall into your comfy, warm bed and rest your head onto your soft pillow each night are you risking your health? You may be surprised to know yes! According to a recent study from The University of Manchester, research found that both synthetic and down pillows were full of dust mites as well as millions of fungal spores. They described it as a “miniature ecosystem inside your pillow.”

The research project consisted of testing 10 pillows that had been used for 18 months-20 years. The samples came back with each pillow having what was identified as 4-16 fungal species per sample. A few thousand spores of fungus were found per gram, with the synthetic pillows having the highest number of specimen.

The research found dust mites, fungi, and the sweat that many of us produce during our sleep, add to the disgusting problem. The ecosystem needs moisture to survive and our sweat is providing it. Food consumption and developments of the dust mites increases significantly when moisture and humidity are present.

You also shed dead skin and dander constantly–In fact, you shed thousands of skin cells a minute. And if you’re spending one-third of your life with your head on a pillow, it means that’s where a good majority of that excess protein will end up. While this isn’t harmful or something you can avoid, it is what makes your pillow an ideal feeding ground for the dust mites you don’t want there. Once the lights go out, they climb onto the pillowcases to eat what you shed.

5 tips to keep you pillows healthy!

1. If you don’t want to run out and replace your pillows right away, try throwing them in a hot dryer for 30 minutes each week. Many people just wait until “washing day” to do this, but it’s better to just do it once a week. This helps stifle the growth of mites and other harmful microorganisms.

2. Don’t sleep on your pillow with wet hair. The moisture will be a feeding frenzy for the fungus and mites.

When it comes to pain, headaches are often at the top of many people’s problem lists. Almost half of adults worldwide have suffered from at least one in the past year. But, a massage therapy appointment may be just what you need to soothe the tension.

1. Tension

If your headache exists on both sides of your head, chances are it’s a tension headache. These headaches feel like something is pressing your head on both sides. Choose a massage with slow moving techniques, such as a Shiatsu or Swedish massage, but refrain from anything involving deep tissue techniques.

2. Sinus

When your sinuses are clogged with fluid and inflamed, you can get serious headache pain. Although the only way to get rid of a sinus infection is to be treated by a physician, a light massage around the eyes can help relieve pain by getting the fluid moving again.

]]>

We all know how bothersome a runny nose can be. You constantly have to blow your nose, your sense of smell is off and it can a pain, literally. Can you imagine having a runny nose for nearly 20 years?

Well, for more than 18 years, Nadia Campbell had no sense of taste or smell and lived with terrible sinus pain. Even after seeing five specialists and undergoing three surgeries, the 38-year-old said in a recent ABC News story she was still left with a runny nose that just kept on running, literally all night.

“Every day there was a problem,” said Campbell. “I had a dry mouth from breathing through my mouth and constant headaches.” Not to mention the amount of sleep she lost because of staying up each night to nurse her nose.

That all changed after doctors at Loyola University Health in Maywood, Illinois, diagnosed her with Samter’s triad, a newly recognized medical condition involving a combination of nasal polyps, asthma and a sensitivity to aspirin.

The most common symptoms of Samter’s triad is rhinitis, or inflammation or irritation of the inner lining of the nose. Rhinitis is symptomized by sneezing, runny nose, or congestion. Asthma, nasal polyps, and aspirin sensitivity generally follow as the disorder progresses.

A reaction to aspirin or ibuprofen can include severe asthma attacks and other reactions that may leave the patient unable to breathe. Alcohol may induce the same reaction. Samter’s triad affects an estimated 10 percent of people with asthma.

“My patients typically come in carrying a thick folder of medical records because they have tried for a long time to find a cure for their illness,” said Dr. Monica Patadia, the board-certified head and neck surgeon who treated Campbell.

More than 37 million Americans have at least one sinus problem a year, according to the…

]]>My Story: “The Only Thing That Cured My Sinuses…”Q&A: What Can I Do For Clogged Ears From A Head Cold?https://blackdoctor.org/445751/how-to-unblock-ears-after-a-cold/
Thu, 03 Jul 2014 20:23:53 +0000http://blackdoctor.org/?p=445751Q: My ears feel “blocked” because of a head cold? What can I do? – Lisa P.

A: Sinus congestion from a head cold or allergies can temporarily make the ears feel clogged. Here are a few suggestions for what you can do to relieve this:

Take medication to clear ear blockage after a cold. You don’t need to continue taking cold medication after cold symptoms improve. Purchase a decongestant and begin taking this drug to help break up mucus and unblock the ears. Use as directed.

Run a humidifier to produce moisture to help break up congestion. Blocked ears may respond to extra moisture in the air. Use a humidifier or sit in the bathroom while the shower runs to reduce ear congestion.

Take in plenty of liquids to hydrate your body. Fluids are also useful because they help thin mucus. Drink plenty of water, juices and teas to get rid of remnants of mucus after a head cold.

Move the jaw muscles to help “pop” congested ears. Popping the ears is a quick way to clear blockage. Chew gum or open and close your mouth several times to work the jaw muscles and unblock ears. Another tactic to pop the ears involves plugging the nose and gently blowing to help balance pressure in the ears.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ‘Ask Dr. Renee’. Follow me on Twitter @AskDrReneeand on mywebsite.

]]>Q&A: What Can I Do For Clogged Ears From A Head Cold?Q&A: What Can I Do For Clogged Ears From A Head Cold?What's The Problem: The Sinuses Or The Nose?https://blackdoctor.org/2288/what-the-problem-the-sinuses-or-the-nose__trashed/
Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:58:42 +0000http://blackdoctor.oomphdev.com?page_id=2288(BlackDoctor.org) — Since nose issues can often mirror the symptoms of sinus problems, sinuses are often charged with the misdeed when other issues are at fault. Patients often complain of headaches, discomfort and stuffiness and they assume it’s sinusitis, but they are mistaken. Most often, the nasal passages are the culprits.

The nasal passages are the pathways for airflow to the sinuses. Think of the nasal passages as the hallways and sinuses as the attached rooms. If the hallway is blocked, there is no access into the rooms.

Sinus symptoms imply that something is wrong with the nose. The nose has problems before the sinuses do. Rarely are the sinuses independently diseased.

If the Nose is the Problem, What’s Wrong with It?

• Bad architecture. Most commonly, a deviated (crooked) nasal septum from an accident or from a quirk of nature. The septum, the internal vertical partition that separates the two nasal passages, when bent or crooked, can significantly block air flow, deprive the sinuses of their aeration and produce the above symptoms. It’s commonly damaged by sports injuries; often an injury in the young goes unrecognized. So, the youngster grows up with no point of reference for normal breathing.

• Allergy. Turbinates are shelves of bone covered with standard issue lining that protrude into the nasal passages from the sides and top of the nasal cavities. They provide a…

]]>african american man frustratedSinusitis & Asthmahttps://blackdoctor.org/3464/sinusitis-asthma__trashed/
Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:53:34 +0000http://blackdoctor.oomphdev.com?page_id=3464(BlackDoctor.org) — Along with all the problems caused by asthma, having sinusitis — or sinus infections — can be tough to handle. It can make you feel sick and miserable. Without good treatment, it can last for months or even years. What’s worse, one condition can worsen the other. Sinusitis has been associated with more severe cases of asthma. So not only does having asthma increase the odds of getting a sinus infection, but a sinus infection can make your asthma harder to control.

But there’s good news. There are lots of treatments available for both sinus infections and asthma. And studies show that treating one condition often helps relieve the symptoms of the other. The key is to treat both conditions aggressively.

What is sinusitis?

While there are many sinuses in your body, the term is often used to refer to the paranasal sinuses. These are a group of four hollow cavities in your face, near the cheeks and eyes. They’re connected to the nasal passageways and help warm up, moisten and filter the air you breathe in. Sinusitis is the swelling or infection of these sinuses.

Just like the lining of your nose, the sinuses can become irritated and swollen by allergens, viruses, or bacterial infection. Common triggers of sinusitis include:

A cold or viral infection

Air pollution, smog

Airborne allergens

Dry or cold air

Ozone

When the tissue in the sinuses gets irritated, it produces mucus. If enough mucus and trapped air builds up, you feel painful pressure in the sinuses. These are the familiar signs of a sinus headache.

Symptoms of sinusitis vary, depending on which sinuses are affected. But some common signs are pain in these areas:

Forehead

Upper jaw and teeth

Area around the eyes

Neck, ear, and on the top of the head

Severe sinusitis can also cause:

Thick yellow or green mucus

Bad-tasting postnasal drip

Sore throat

Fever

Weakness

Fatigue

Cough

Usually, sinus infections are caused by viruses, like a cold virus. But if the sinuses have been blocked for too long, bacteria can invade, causing a secondary infection. Having multiple sinus infections can lead to chronic (long-term) sinusitis.

What’s the connection between sinusitis and asthma?

Many studies have shown a connection between sinus infections and asthma. One 2006 study showed that, when compared with those who only have asthma, people who have both sinusitis and asthma:

Tend to have more severe asthma symptoms

May have more severe asthma flares

Are more likely to have disturbed sleep

The risks of developing sinusitis may not be the same for everyone with asthma. The same 2006 study showed that sinusitis coupled with asthma was more common in women than men. It also may be more common in whites than other racial groups. Acid reflux (GERD) and smoking may increase the risk of someone with asthma developing sinusitis, too.

The study also suggested that the more severe a person’s asthma is, the more debilitating the sinusitis. In people with severe asthma, sinusitis seems to make the asthma symptoms harder to control.

How are sinusitis and asthma treated?

Treatment is important in preventing sinusitis from worsening. Again, since the conditions are linked, treating sinusitis may have the added benefit of improving your asthma symptoms.

If you have sinusitis and asthma, your doctor might recommend that you use:

Always ask your doctor before using nasal spray decongestants. Sometimes, they can wind up leaving you more stuffed up. You might try spraying warm salt water into the nose, or breathing in steam.

If a secondary bacterial infection has developed in your sinuses, you’ll need antibiotics. Your doctor will probably prescribe them for about 10-14 days. Just remember that antibiotics will only work in cases of bacterial infection. They will not help with viruses.

For people with allergies, controlling exposure to allergens is key. Not only will it reduce your asthma symptoms, it will also reduce your risk of sinus infections. Avoid any allergic triggers and irritants, like cigarette smoke. You can also ask your doctor if allergy shots might be helpful.

In some cases, more involved treatments are necessary. Physical problems in the nasal passages can lead to chronic sinusitis. These include narrow nasal passages, a deviated septum, or polyps — small lumps in the nose. Surgically correcting these problems can sometimes resolve the problem.

Can postnasal drip trigger asthma?

Postnasal drip is an unscientific term that refers to the sensation of thick phlegm in the throat, which can become infected. Your glands in the nose and throat produce mucus continuously (1 to 2 pints per day), that helps to cleanse the nasal membranes, helps warm the air you breathe, and traps inhaled foreign matter. Mucus also helps to fight infection.

In normal situations, the throat is moistened by the secretions from the nasal and throat mucous glands. This is part of the mucous-nasal cilia system that defends us from disease. When the amount of liquid secreted by the nose and sinus is reduced and the cilia of the nose and sinus slow down, the fluid thickens and you become very aware of its presence. Because the thick phlegm is unpleasant and often infected, our bodies naturally try to get rid of it by noisily coughing and clearing our throats.

Sometimes postnasal drip syndrome is associated with asthma as the thick mucus secretions drain from the back of the nose to the back of the throat, causing throat clearing, cough, and bronchial constriction.

How is sinobronchial syndrome related to asthma?

Sinobronchial syndrome is a combination of sinusitis and the resulting lower respiratory tract symptoms such as bronchitis or asthma. With sinobronchial syndrome, the sinus disease may be caused by allergies or an infection — or it can be chronic. The lung disease can be one of several types such as acute infective bronchitis, recurrent bouts of bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, or asthma that’s difficult to manage.

It’s thought that the sinus disease resulting in lower airway symptoms such as asthma is due to a constant drip of inflammatory and infective secretions from the back of the nose to the back of the throat. This throat irritation may cause bronchial constriction by a reflex transmitted by the nervous system. Or, the postnasal drip of inflammatory secretions from the upper airway may create a secondary inflammatory reaction of the lungs, causing either asthma or bronchitis.

What are the symptoms of sinobronchial syndrome?

With sinobronchial syndrome, you will feel a host of miserable nasal and chest symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, a productive cough, nasal obstruction, fever, headache, or chest tightness. Along with signs of sinus inflammation or infection with pain and tenderness over the sinuses, you might have constant nasal and sinus drainage, wheezing, cough, and other respiratory or asthma symptoms.

How can you prevent sinusitis?

There’s no sure-fire way of preventing sinusitis. But there are some things you can do to lower your risk:

Use regular steroid sprays to prevent further sinus infections. This is particularly important if you’ve had recurrent or chronic sinusitis.

Avoid allergens and irritants, if you have allergies.

Take your asthma medication as recommended. Keeping your asthma symptoms under control can reduce your risks of developing serious sinusitis.

]]>african american man asthma inhalerWhat Are Sinus Headaches?https://blackdoctor.org/2535/what-are-sinus-headaches__trashed/
Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:51:31 +0000http://blackdoctor.oomphdev.com?page_id=2535Sinus headaches are associated with a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of the nose. The pain usually intensifies with sudden head movement or straining. The pain is usually accompanied by other sinus symptoms, such as nasal discharge, feeling of fullness in the ears, fever, and facial swelling.

Whether your headache symptoms can actually be attributed to the sinuses will need to be determined by your doctor. If your headache is truly caused by a sinus blockage, such as an infection, you will likely have a fever. CT scans or MRI along with a physical examination is usually conducted to determine if there is a blockage in your sinuses.

Sinus Headache Treatment

Treatment of sinus headaches is usually directed toward symptom relief and treating the infection. Treatment might include antibiotics for the infection, as well as a short period of antihistamines (such as Benadryl) or decongestants (such as Sudafed) to treat the symptoms. If you take decongestants, but do not have a true sinus headache, the medication could make your headache worse. Be sure to see your doctor before taking any medications.

Other medications to treat sinus infections include pain relievers and vasoconstrictors (to decrease nasal congestion). If the pain continues after using pain relievers, corticosteroids may be prescribed to further decrease the inflammation. When an allergen is causing the sinus flare-ups, preventive allergy therapy is often needed.

Decongestant medications can be used to relieve headaches associated with sinus infections. Decongestants help relieve headache symptoms because they constrict blood vessels that cause headache pain. However, decongestant use can be habit-forming. If your headaches seem to be relieved by decongestants but you do not have a sinus infection, you may actually have a migraine or tension headache, which require specific treatment.

Allergies and Sinus Headaches

It is a misconception that allergies cause sinus headaches. However, allergies can cause sinus congestion, which can lead to headache pain. If you have allergies, the treatment for your allergy will not relieve your headache pain. The two conditions generally must be treated separately. See your doctor to ensure proper treatment.

]]>aa_man_senior_with_headache1_2Home Remedies For Sinus Problemshttps://blackdoctor.org/2989/home-remedies-for-sinus-problems__trashed/
Mon, 28 Mar 2011 21:49:39 +0000http://blackdoctor.oomphdev.com?page_id=2989Before you start trying to treat your sinus problems, it’s pertinent that you figure out why you have sinus problems. Allergies are a fairly common reason for sinus problems.

Allergies that affect the nose, such as hay fever and indoor allergies, can cause the nasal membranes to swell, and the passages to the sinuses – hollow spaces within the bones around the nose – to become blocked. Mucus, which typically drains from the sinuses to the nose, can’t drain. The mucus builds up and provides a fertile ground for “bugs” to grow, leading to infection. Others are more prone to sinus infections due to their anatomy, such as having narrow sinus passages.

Whatever the trigger, these five tips can help you alleviate your sinus problems.

Sinus Tip 1: Keep Your Cool

When the heat is on, the membranes get dry. Mucus isn’t cleared as effectively, boosting the risk of infection and other sinus problems, such as sinus headache. In the winter months, you’re better off wearing a sweater and keeping it cooler than cranking up the heat so you are comfortable wearing only a T-shirt.

Let your nose guide your indoor temperature range. If you are not waking up with nosebleeds or congestion, that is probably a good temperature range.

A too-humid indoor environment can also encourage the growth of mold, which can also set off sinus problems.

Vaporizers can keep you more comfortable if you are in the midst of a sinus problem, but you need to have it close by. It doesn’t do any good to have a vaporizer on the other side of the room. Make sure you clean the device daily to keep bacteria from growing in them and making you sicker.

Breathe the mist coming from vaporizers, but not the steam. Steam can easily burn you. Ten minutes at a time is often recommended.

Sinus Tip 3: Ventilate Your House

An energy-efficient house is not necessarily a sinus-friendly one. You seal up a house to make it more energy efficient, and you end up with stale air that aggravates sinus problems.

The solution: Opening up the house on a warmer day to clear the air is a good thing, providing it’s not a high-pollen day that will set off your allergies.

Sinus Tip 4: Hydrate and Irrigate Yourself

Drinking a lot of fluids can help keep your sinuses functioning well – at least a quart a day, but the more the better. Most doctors recommend that you drink enough water every day so your urine is generally clear.

Salt water nasal rinses for your nose can help, too. You can buy a kit or mix up your own at home. The recipe: Put 3/4 teaspoon salt in a glass of water. Using a bulb syringe, flush your nasal cavities to clean out mucus and debris.

Sinus Tip 4: Hydrate and Irrigate Yourself continued…

Neti pots are another way to irrigate your nasal cavities. This centuries-old remedy has gained popularity recently, thanks in part to coverage on The Oprah Winfrey Show and in other media.

The pot looks like a tea pot with an elongated spout. The devices are sold widely, for about $10 to $20, online and in drug stores and health food stores.

To use the pot, typically you mix about a pint of lukewarm water with a teaspoon of salt. Next, tilt your head over a sink at an angle of about 45 degrees. Place the pot’s spout into your top nostril and gently pour the solution in.

The salt water will flow through your nasal cavity, into the other nostril, and perhaps into your throat. Blow your nose to eliminate any water, and then repeat the steps on the other nostril.

Cleaning the pots regularly is crucial.

Sinus Tip 5: Avoid Household Irritants

Indoor allergies can wreak havoc with your sinuses. Cigarette smoke, cleaning products, hairspray, and other materials that give off fumes can all make your sinus problems worse.

Anything that has a strong odor of fumes can be a problem, especially if you are susceptible. Cigarette smoke is probably the No. 1 offender for sinuses. Try asking family members to smoke outside or, better yet, to give up the habit.

If you’re sensitive to pet dander, wash or clean your pets weekly. As difficult as it is for pet owners, limiting exposure to your animals at night can help.